Travel Smarter with these Apps & Websites

Bags packed and ready to hop in the car for a road trip? While you’re bound to have a blast, road trips come with their own particular set of challenges: you’re away from home and creature comforts, you’ve got extended down time while en route and you’re usually in an unfamiliar location; where does one find the best burger? The best BBQ? The mere idea of a road trip can quickly become overwhelming. Luckily, I’ve found a few apps and website tools that allow you to enjoy the best of what travel has to offer.

Places to Go & Places to Stay

Discover America - Discover America has a fun interactive search tool to help you find the perfect destination. Looking for a charming town in your state? A beach? Want to follow the path of the Freedom Trail and then find restaurants or a natural wonder nearby? I’ve found this site to be full of great destination—and related destination—ideas.

Oh, Ranger! ParkFinder - This app is a comprehensive list of state and federal US parks; you can search by the activity you’re interested in (fishing? camping? hiking?) and it will detail the parks close to you with your desired specifications.

Airbnb - Why pay hotel prices when this website offers affordable alternatives? Find a room—or entire home—listed by private individuals to rent at your destination city. I’ve found everything from a single room in London to a huge home nestled in a Sonoma vineyard.

Everplaces - This website is a fun place to make note of places you’ve visited and want to visit. You can share your places with friends (through a Facebook login) and find inspiration from others for places you’d never have considered (or heard of!)

Find What’s Nearby

RoadAhead Highway Exit Finder - Need to satisfy a coffee craving or find the next gas station? This app finds your location on the highway and lets you know what’s located on exits ahead, according to your needs and the categories you select. It also includes user reviews of businesses on that exit to help you determine the best fit.

Need to satisfy a coffee craving or find the next gas station?

On the Way - This app shows you attractions that are along your road-trip route. Enter your starting and ending points, and it will show you what’s on the way!

Keep the Car Happy

Gas Buddy - Honestly, the Gas Buddy app is useful for every day, not just long road trips. It helps find the least expensive gas prices wherever you are; I use it in my own town as well as when traveling.

GL1 Vehicle Diagnostics - Want to make sure your car is being driven at maximum miles per gallon? This app will help you do that, and it will also display lots of other helpful vehicle diagnostics, as well.

Getting Around Once You’re There

HopStop - Once you’re at a destination, HopStop willl help you navigate public transit as well as provide walking and biking directions.